Clematis plant named ‘Zoqum’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Clematis  named ‘Zoqum’, characterized by its free-flowering habit with bell-shaped flowers that are of red-purple in color and non-fading, its near sterility, a climbing plant habit and its cold hardiness to at least U.S.D.A. Zone 5.

Botanical classification: Clematis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘Zoqum’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Clematisof hybrid origin (Viticella Group) and will be referred to hereafter byits cultivar name ‘Zoqum’. ‘Zoqum’ is grown as an herbaceous climbingplant for use in the landscape or as a flowering potted plant for theterrace.

‘Zoqum’ was derived from an ongoing breeding program by the Inventor athis nursery in Emmerich, Germany. The goal of the selection was toselect a hardy climber with uniquely colored flowers that could be grownfor different purposes in the garden.

‘Zoqum’ was selected in 2007 as a single unique plant and arose from across made in 2003. The Inventor did not keep the records on theproprietary seedlings used for the cross, therefore the parentage isunknown.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar was first accomplished byinternodial stem cuttings under the direction of the Inventor inBoskoop, The Netherlands. The characteristics of this cultivar have beendetermined to be stable and are reproduced true to type in successivegenerations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent thecharacteristics of the new cultivar as grown outdoors and observed forfive years in Boskoop, The Netherlands. These attributes in combinationdistinguish ‘Zoqum’ from other cultivars of Clematis known to theInventor.

-   -   1. ‘Zoqum’ exhibits a very floriferous habit.    -   2. ‘Zoqum’ has bell-shaped flowers that are red-purple in color.    -   3. ‘Zoqum’ has flowers that are not fading.    -   4. ‘Zoqum’ is considered sterile; seeds are very rarely        produced.    -   5. ‘Zoqum’ has a climbing plant habit.    -   6. ‘Zoqum’ is at least cold hardy to U.S.D.A. Zone 5.

‘Zoqum’ can be compared to the cultivar ‘Etoile Rose’ (unpatented) and‘Odoriba’ (unpatented). ‘Zoqum’ exhibits flowers that are red-purple incolor with a closed bell-shape flower and a glabrous flower bud.

Clematis ‘Etoile Rose’ differs from ‘Zoqum’ in having flowers that arered-pink with white in color, an open bell-shape flower and a more hairyflower bud.

Clematis ‘Odoriba’ differs from ‘Zoqum’ in having flowers that arered-purple which are half white in color at the upper surface, an openbell-shape flower and sparsely hairy flower bud.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceand distinct characteristics of the new Clematis. The photographs weretaken of a three year-old plant of ‘Zoqum’ as grown in a one-galloncontainer in Boskoop, The Netherlands.

The photograph in FIG. 1 shows the flowering habit.

The photograph in FIG. 2 shows the inside of the flower with a close upof the stamens and pistils.

The photograph in FIG. 3 shows the flower bud.

FIG. 4 shows an immature seedhead.

FIG. 5 shows 2 leaves.

The colors in the photographs are as close as possible with the digitalphotography techniques available, the color values cited in the detailedbotanical description accurately describe the colors of the newClematis.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of three year-old plants of‘Zoqum’ as grown outdoors in one-gallon containers under full sun at anursery in Boskoop, The Netherlands. The phenotype of the new cultivarmay vary with variations in environmental, climatic, and culturalconditions, as it has not been tested under all possible environmentalconditions. The color determination is in accordance with The 2001R.H.S. Colour Chart of the Royal Horticultural Society, London, England,except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance areused.

-   General description:    -   -   Botanical classification.—Clematis ‘Zoqum’ (classified in            the Viticella Group).        -   Blooming period.—Main flowering period of 6 to 8 weeks in            summer.        -   Plant habit.—Herbaceous climber.        -   Height and spread.—Three year-old plant will be at about 2 m            height when pruned in late winter at 25 cm above soil level            and about 60 cm in width.        -   Cold hardiness.—At least to U.S.D.A. Zone 5.        -   Culture.—Moist but well-drained soils in full sun with roots            shaded.        -   Diseases.—No comparison trials have been conducted to date            in regards to powdery mildew susceptibility or resistance.        -   Root description.—Fleshy.-   Growth and propagation:    -   -   Propagation.—Internodial softwood cuttings from vegetative            shoots.        -   Root initiation.—Roots develop in 6 weeks in summer under            greenhouse conditions.        -   Time required for root development.—75 to 90 days to develop            a 5 cm container from a 5 cm cutting.        -   Growth rate.—Moderately vigorous once planted in the            landscape.-   Stem description:    -   -   Shape.—Round and 6 ribbed.        -   Stem color.—166A.        -   Stem size.—About 2 m (including peduncle and terminal            pedicel) in length, an average of 3 mm in diameter.        -   Stem surface.—Mainly glabrous with a few scattered hairs.        -   Internode length.—Ranges from 5 to 15 cm.        -   Branching.—Basal branching.-   Foliage description:    -   -   Leaf arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Leaf division.—Compound; pinnate, an average of 9 leaflets            per leaf.        -   Leaf shape.—Roughly ovate in shape.        -   Leaf size.—An average of 12 cm in length and width.        -   Leaflet shape.—Ovate.        -   Leaflet base.—Oblique.        -   Leaflet apex.—Acute.        -   Leaflet fragrance.—No particular fragrance when crushed.        -   Leaflet venation.—Slightly reticulate on both surfaces.        -   Leaflet margins.—Entire, lower leaflet sometimes lobed.        -   Leaflet attachment.—Articulate, 147A, glabrous but a few            scattered hairs.        -   Leaflet surface.—Glabrous on both surfaces.        -   Leaflet size.—Up to 6 cm in length and 4 cm in width.        -   Leaflet color.—Upper surface 147A, lower surface 146B.        -   Petioles.—Average of 4 cm in length and 1 mm in width, 187A            in color, sparsely pubescent surface.        -   Petiolules.—Average of 1.2 cm in length and 1 mm in width,            187A in color, sparsely pubescent surface.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Inflorescence type.—Usually a 3 flowered dichasial cyme.        -   Inflorescence arrangement.—Terminal and axillary on young            shoots.        -   Pedicels.—Up to 8 cm in length and an average of 2 cm, 147A            flushed with 79A in color, surface glabrous and round in            shape.        -   Peduncles.—Average of 2 cm in length and 2.5 cm in width,            147A flushed with 79A in color, surface glabrous and round            in shape.        -   Peduncle bracts.—Leaf-like, division simple, about 4 cm in            length and 3 cm in width, color and surface is the same as            leaflets.        -   Bud description.—Downward facing, lanceolate in shape, 59C            in color, apex acuminate in shape and quickly opening,            glabrous surface, up to 4 cm in length and 2.5 cm in width.        -   Flower fragrance.—None.        -   Lastingness of flowers.—Individual flowers last about 7            days, the tepals are caducous followed by the stamens.        -   Flower quantity.—Terminal and axillary on young shoots, on a            3 year old plant about 30 to 60 flowers per stem.        -   Flower type.—Single, urceolate with campanulate apex in            shape.        -   Flower aspect.—Downward facing.        -   Flower size.—Up to 4 cm in length and 4 cm in diameter.        -   Tepal number.—4.        -   Tepal shape.—Spathulate.        -   Tepal apex.—Acute and curled outwards.        -   Tepal base.—Oblong.        -   Tepal margins.—Entire or slightly crenulate at apex.        -   Tepal surface.—Upper surface; glabrous, lower surface;            glabrous with villous margin.        -   Tepal color.—Upper surface; a blend of 72A and 72B with            middle section 61B and base paler than 61B, lower surface;            72A with margin closest to 155A and villous.        -   Tepal size.—Up to 5 cm in length and 2 cm in width.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Gynoecium.—Numerous pistils (up to 30) 1.4 cm in length;            ovary white hairy (about 155A); style 145D in color and            plumose and 155A in color at the base, about 1 cm in length;            stigma 145D in color, glabrous and curled.        -   Androcoecium.—Filaments 0.4 to 1 cm in length, 0.1 cm in            width, linear in shape, 4D in color, surface glabrous but a            few hairs below the anther; anthers 5 mm in length, linear            in shape, 11D in color; connective just a bit obtuse            elongated, surface hairy, 4D in color.        -   Seed.—Head up to 4 cm in diameter, seed development is very            rare, when mature; ovary portion 202A in color and hairy;            style portion plumose, 202A in color and 2 cm in length;            stigma portion 202A in color and hooked.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Clematis plant named‘Zoqum’ as herein illustrated and described.